A Brown Girl’s Guide to BB Creams, featuring Marcelle BB Cream and Maybelline Dream Fresh BB

July 20, 2012 | 32 Responses

I’m sure by now you’ve heard about the newest face base product that has hit the North American market: the BB cream. In a nutshell, these “blemish balms” or “beauty balms” that are widely popular in Asia promise to deliver a more even skin tone as well as a slew of skincare benefits.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB / Marcelle BB Cream

If you have a tan or deeper skin like me (about MAC NC40 and deeper), BB creams might not have caught your attention yet because well, there aren’t many options for us out there. But there are options, and I must say they are pretty great!

Marcelle BB Cream in Dark to Darker and Medium to Dark

Marcelle BB Cream ($22.95 for 45 mL) was the first Canadian-made BB cream with two shades, Light to Medium and Medium to Dark back in January 2012. Recently, a third shade — Dark to Darker – was added to the lineup (available exclusively online at Marcelle.com). Marcelle BB Cream promises to:

Minimize the appearance of imperfections and pores
Even out skin tone
Provide an excellent make-up base and replaces primers
Mattify skin and controls shine
Offer immediate and long-term hydrating benefits
Soothe and calm skins
Protect from premature aging and environmental stresses
Promote skin regeneration

If you are really keen on streamlining your skincare and makeup regimen, then Marcelle BB Cream is a good bet. Depending on your skin type, this product may replace your moisturizer, primer and foundation. Dry-to-normal skin types will still need a moisturizer. This has the most coverage of all BB creams I’ve tried thus far; it is one I would liken to a tinted moisturizer with a medium coverage. The consistency is thick; it’s like 50% silicone primer and 50% liquid foundation formula. It is oil-free and paraben-free. Oh, and it dispenses product with airless-tube pump! It is heaven-sent for the germaphobes, am I right? It also makes it feel more luxurious.

I disagree with its claim of having a weightless feel on the skin, though. I find that with my fingers, I really have to work to spread this all over my skin. Besides that aspect, I really like Marcelle BB Cream. It dries to a semi-matte finish, provides shine control and evens out my skin tone nicely. A little goes a long way with this one. The Dark to Darker isn’t really a match for me yet.

Marcelle BB Cream in Dark to Darker and Medium to Dark — swatches

Wearing Marcelle BB Cream in Dark to Darker (before / after)

Bottom line: Marcelle BB Cream is a fantastic multi-tasker. It is truly a moisturizer, primer and foundation in one. If you’re a regular foundation wearer, you’ll probably like it. Good for all skin types, but oily skin types will especially appreciate its shine control properties.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm SPF 30 in Medium/Deep and Deep

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm SPF 30 ($10.99 for 30 mL) launched in June 2012, with an impressive lineup of 5 shades (Light, Light/Medium, Medium, Medium/Deep and Deep). Maybelline Dream Fresh BB boasts the following benefits:

Helps prevent sunburn with SPF 30
Helps blur the look of imperfections
Creates a natural looking glow
Skin looks visibly smoother
Compliments skin tone
Hydrates all day
Feels fresh
Oil-free

While some of these benefits are repetitive and redundant (blurs imperfections = visibly smoother looking skin), I do appreciate the SPF 30 BB cream. Dude! An SPF 30 mineral sunscreen BB? That’s totally unheard of. I’m already a fan. This feels runny like a regular liquid foundation. This is considerably smaller than Marcelle’s, so don’t be fooled by the low price tag. I appreciate the light feel of this especially on very hot and humid days. I love that it doesn’t feel silicone-y! Recently I’ve become weary of heavily silicone-based products, as I more and more often get random zits popping up on my face. That said, I prefer the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB for my skin type (normal) and this weather (hot, humid and all-around gross).

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm SPF 30 in Medium/Deep and Deep — swatches

Wearing Maybelline Dream Fresh BB in Medium/Deep (before / after)

Bottom line: This BB cream is perfect for the sun-conscious, thanks to its titanium dioxide sunscreen. The coverage is surprisingly good (it covers minor redness). I am in love with the light dewy formula for summer, but it may look overly shiny on oily skin types (may I suggest Cover FX Matte FX?). Makeup newbies will appreciate the lightness of this BB cream. It really does feel like nothing!

For those who are interested, here are the two darkest shades from both brands to show you the difference in undertones. The Maybelline has a more golden tone, while the Marcelle is just brown.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB in Deep / Marcelle BB Cream in Dark to Darker — swatches

Are you using a BB cream regularly as a part of your skin regimen? I’d love to know what you think of it.

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Summer Primpin’: Rise Above Common Summer Beauty Problems With These Hot Weather Essentials!

June 19, 2012 | 18 Responses

My neighbour’s cat relaxing in the shade on a hot day

The dog days… er, cat days of summer are here! You know, summer is a pretty rough season for the beauty-obsessed. Not only does our makeup melt due to humidity giving us permanent raccoon eyes, but the hot weather leads to less clothing, meaning actual skin exposure. Ohmygod.

Lucky for us, I know just the right products to keep us looking cute and fresh even though it is eleventy thousand degrees outside. Here are my answers to common (first world) beauty problems that your pretty vain selves have to face this summer. Yes, I’ve tried all of these and love them. I know, I’ve been busy.

Problem #1: Your greasy sunscreen is cramping your style, big time.

Mary Kay Sun Care SPF 30 Sunscreen, Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration SPF 50

Great news! Some companies really know what they’re doing on the sunscreen front. First of all, for your face, Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 ($39 at various locations in Canada) is a gorgeous velvety mineral sunscreen with a slight tint that suits fair-to-medium skin tones. While sunscreens alone will not protect against IRA, adding an antioxidant like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($152) has been clinically proven to prevent IRA damage. This means you’ll be protected against bad IRA, UVA and UVB rays!

For the rest of your body, Mary Kay Sun Care SPF 30 Sunscreen ($20) and Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($10.99) provide UVA and UVB protection as well as doubles as a body lotion with their silky smooth texture. Great for you lazy gals out there!

Problem #2: You are blinding the world with your paper-white legs in your short shorts and mini-skirts.

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Oil, Mary Kay Sun Care Subtle Tanning Lotion, Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Effect Oil-free Sunscreen SPF 30

For the entire world’s sake, bronze up those legs — and while you’re at it, your entire body, too. Great for bronzing newbies is Mary Kay Sun Care Subtle Tanning Lotion ($20), because it provides results so subtle that you can’t screw it up. Still an all-time favourite of mine is Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Oil ($28, review here) for gleaming golden legs. Don’t sacrifice SPF for your leg bronzer; get both — plus the yummy signature coconut scent — with Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Effect Oil-free Sunscreen SPF 30 ($10.99). If you want to cover some imperfections, Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs ($15.99) is your best friend. Do it in the tub (it’s messy!) and make sure you spray evenly.

Problem #3: Your flip flops are exposing your — let’s face it — not-so-cute feet.

Sally Hansen Soften Your Step Tool, Sally Hansen Moisturizing Foot Creme in Lavender

Whether you’re a spa pedicure or a DIY kinda girl, there’s no excuse for dirty flaky feet this season. To go the DIY route, scrub off the dry skin with Sally Hansen Soften Your Step Tool ($7.99). Sally Hansen Moisturizing Foot Creme in Lavender ($7.99) is a welcome alternative to the usual minty foot creams.

YSL 1 Rouge Pop Art, Sally Hansen 560 Kook-A-Mango, Misa Sandals, Flip Flops & Hip Hop

Wearing Misa Sandals, Flip Flops & Hip Hop and Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs

Clockwise from top-right: Maybelline 160 Chiffon Chic, Sally Hansen 430 Grass Slipper, Maybelline 330 Tenacious Teal, YSL 16 Bleu Majorelle

So many cute colour options, ladies! For summer, you can’t go wrong with any vibrant colour under the rainbow! The best part: nail polishes come vibrant at all price points. Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer ($2.96 – $3.99), Sally Hansen Complete Complete Salon Manicure ($7.49), Misa Nail Lacquer ($7.95, ON SPECIAL NOW at Trade Secrets!), YSL La Laque Couture ($27).

YSL 1 Rouge Pop Art, Sally Hansen 560 Kook-A-Mango, Misa Sandals, Flip Flops & Hip Hop
Maybelline 160 Chiffon Chic, Sally Hansen 430 Grass Slipper, Maybelline 330 Tenacious Teal, YSL 16 Bleu Majorelle

Problem #4: You’re too embarrassed of your dark under arms to even sport a tank top in public.

Schick Hydro Silk Razor, Dove ClearTone Anti-Perspirant

Okay so this pretty close to TMI territory, but here’s the thing: I was using this natural deodorant that shockingly darkened the skin in my under arms. I was so appalled that I had to switch right away. I’m not kidding you, but Dove ClearTone Anti-Perspirant ($3.99-$4.99) has helped my under arms’ skin tone tremendously since I’ve used it for a few weeks. Despite regular shaving and sweating, this anti-perspirant keeps me smelling fresh and moisturizes quite well, too! This one’s a keeper. And speaking of shaving, which is my hair removal method of choice for my underarms, the new Schick Hydro Silk Razor ($13.99) is pretty awesome. With five blades and a water-activated moisturizing serum, you can even ditch your shaving cream!

Whew! That was a long post! What are your favourite summer rescue products? Any favourites of yours on my list?

Keep It or Toss It? Summer Skincare Edition.

July 19, 2011 | 44 Responses

Summer is a tricky season for one’s skin regimen. Cleansing becomes a big deal. You need to moisturize sensitive, possibly sun-damaged skin, but you don’t want to slap on anything too heavy. I’ve been trying a lot of new skincare lately, and it’s time again to talk about them!

Today I’m trying a new review format, called Keep It or Toss It? It will feature 5 or more product reviews, and each review will be quick — only 5 sentences or less. Here we go!

Cleanser: Consonant Body Organic Foaming Face Wash* ($18). Keep it. This face wash takes off all non-waterproof makeup as well as my all-time favourite, Philosophy Purity Made Simple. It doesn’t make my skin tight or uncomfortable after cleansing. Unfortunately for me, my hand eczema reacts pretty badly to the foam, so I’ll pass it on to my sister.

Eye Cream: Origins Eye Doctor ($34). Toss it. I’m 24 and I have some fine lines under my eyes. Sure, this smells refreshing (like cucumbers). But, it’s expensive and it doesn’t do anything.

Eye Roller: Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller ($20). Keep it. I’m a big fan of eye rollers. Naturally, an eye roller that brightens my dark circles, to me, is a pretty good deal. This doesn’t conceal major under eye circles, but it’s great for that extra boost on top of your concealer. Turn around bright eyes.

Toner/Hydrosol: Pure + simple Organic Lavender Hydrosol* ($12.95 for 50ml). Toss it. There’s something about this hydrosol that just did not agree with my nose at all. It doesn’t smell like lavender, or at least the kind that I’m accustomed to. It smells like pee. So no, I’m not going to spray my face with what smells like toilet water. Instead, try Weleda Refining Toner.

Serum: Pure + simple Soothing Mimosa Emulsion* ($39.95 for 50ml). Keep it. This is a light, hydrating serum that I wear under my moisturizer. It is incredibly soothing and cooling on sensitive skin after a hot sweaty bike ride under the sun. Oilier skin types can wear probably wear it as their day moisturizer.

Moisturizer: Origins VitaZing SPF 15 (around $40 for 50ml). Toss it. I bought mine in CCO in Las Vegas for US$27. This moisturizer has garnered so much hype thanks to a YouTube guru, but I thought it’s just alright. It’s a very sheer illuminating tinted moisturizer; one shade only. I like the way this smells and looks on the skin, but I’m pretty sure it causes breakouts every time I use it. Next!

Sunscreen: Pure + simple SPF 30 For Sensitive Skin* ($25.95 for 100ml). Keep it (and buy in bulk when it goes on sale). This is an great mineral sunscreen (none of that -benzone junk!) to wear under makeup as it won’t turn you into a grease ball. German chamomile calms irritated skin. It goes on white, but you can minimize this by patting it on over a face oil (like Argan oil). Pure + simple SPF 30 for Oily/Impure Skin works as just well, and I prefer the scent of that one, too.

Night Cream: Weleda Iris Hydrating Night Cream* ($28 for 30ml). Keep it. I love this almost as much as my holy grail night cream, Martina Gebhardt Black Mud Cream. Both brands are German and all-natural, so I’m pretty sure every person in Germany has perfect skin. While not as greasy as the Black Mud cream — a greasiness I prefer in my night cream, actually — the Iris Night Cream is rich enough to give you perfectly hydrated, plump skin in the morning.

Your Turn! What Summer Skincare Products Have Wowed Or Disappointed You Lately?

That was fun, eh? Have you tried any new skincare lately, or do you stick with what works?